More snacks to include fruit and vegetable ingredients: report

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Convenient, on-the-go snacking has become a popular replacement for mealtimes.

Almost half (48%) of consumers globally consume over two snacks a day, according to a new report from HealthFocus International.

But as consumers have shifted when they eat, they have also changed how they eat.

The shifting sentiment around snacking and healthy eating overall has led food manufacturers to be more thoughtful on the ingredients they include.

The HealthFocus International report found that people approach snacks with the same scrutiny as their meal choices, expecting healthier options, even in indulgent categories.

Younger consumers especially believe that eating multiple healthy snacks a day is just as nutritious, and sometimes better, than eating three meals a day, the report said.

Nearly half of consumers don’t have consistent patterns for when and how much they eat, highlighting the importance for healthy snacks to fill this need space. Globally, 45% are approaching snacks with the goal of finding the healthiest options available, while 38% take a more balanced approach saying they allow themselves indulgent snacks as part of an overall healthy diet.

“Made with fruits and vegetables” is the third highest driver to snack selection globally, the report said.

Cheerios Veggie Blends, for example, which is a staple in the baby food category, now has fruits and vegetables in each serving, including ingredients like sweet potato, carrot, and spinach powders and banana and blueberry purees.

Once Upon a Farm is another brand adding fruit and vegetable purees and powers into its products, the report said. Its bars contain ingredients such as apple, pear, strawberry, raspberry, banana, pumpkin, and/or beets. Cerebelly’s snack bars, which are geared towards children, also use kale, maitake mushrooms, kelp and chlorella.

Along with fruits and vegetables being integrated into popular snacks, more clean label products have been popping up in other categories as well.

According to a report from Innova Market Insight, clean labels are increasingly influencing consumer purchasing decisions. Wholesome ingredients, botanical extracts and plant-based innovations have made consumers feel closer to nature,” the report said.

Food manufacturers and suppliers are responding by putting an emphasis on “clean-label” and “better-for-you” ingredients in order to appeal to the changing consumer.